Goals and accomplishments

Minute-by-minute, community and business leaders at the Leadership Luncheon on Tuesday shared their most significant accomplishments in 2005 and their most important goals for 2006.

Realtor Bobbi Cox, who founded the event and has chaired it for 19 years at Hotel Laguna, designed the luncheon for 90 participants -- which allows one minute per person. She keeps a close watch on the timer -- in fact she had a backup.

“I am ruthless,” Cox said. “We’ll be doing more listening than talking.”

If you had been there, this is some of what you would have heard.

Accomplishments

Mayor Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider: “My most significant accomplishment was finding money to help get through the crisis caused by the [June 1] landslide.”

Martha Lydick wore two hats to the luncheon. As president of the Laguna Beach Taxpayers Assn., she cited support for the sales-tax increase; as Friends of the Library president, she announced that painting would begin on the exterior of the library next week, funded by the Friends.

Patricia Tournier, local artist and member of the taxpayers board and Laguna Art Museum advisory board: “I arranged events for Bowers Museum, but no one listens to my advice.”

“We do,” interjected Lydick.

Peggy Ford, president of the Laguna Beach Woman’s Club: “Last year we started a face-lifting project [for the clubhouse] and we raised $20,000 [with $50,000 to go].”

Chris Lutz, Prudential Realty: “I lost 45 pounds last year.”

Kim Maxwell, Boys and Girls Club executive director: “We acquired TLC [formerly the Laguna Club for Kids] in May.”

Jeannie Harrell, Laguna Beach High School: “Working with many of the organizations here today, we raised $175,000 in scholarships in 2005.”

Cindy Prewitt, Laguna Beach Live: “We started a summer jazz series here at the Hotel Laguna in 2005.”

Jennifer Miller, Friendship Shelter: “Our biggest accomplishment was hiring me. I am the first development director even though the shelter is 18 years old.”

Darrel Cavanaugh, State Farm Insurance, said his major accomplishment was opening his own business.

Peggy Ahern, Shamrock Marketing: “I introduced Laguna Beach to the world. At the Cannes Film Festival, it was the French Riviera meets the California Riviera.”

Veronica Nice, Nice Touch Chiropratic and the Woman’s Club: “The club’s resource center had the largest low-income family back-to-school event ever.”

George Collins, Capri Laguna Inn at the Beach: “We began promoting the hotel as a wedding site.”

The big accomplishment for the Pacific Marine Mammal Center (formerly known at Friends of the Sea Lion) was completing compliance with the American Disabilities Act, according to Emily Rose Wing.

Rick Conkey, Blue Water Music Festival: “Our successful first festival.”

John Tabacek, Mandarin Fine Art: “Opening the gallery.”

David Ross, Waste Management of Orange County and boss of local rep, Michelle Clark. “It’s Michelle’s world, and I am just happy to be part of it.”

Clark: “We collected everything last year. Did we not?”

Noel Johnson, Laguna Beach Rotary: “The Classic Car show raised $30,000 to benefit the community.”

The Sawdust Festival’s first skim board art project was Lynn Powell’s pride and joy for 2005.

Julita Jones, Community Art Project: “We placed three pieces of art.” The project finds exhibition space for public art on private property -- the opposite of the Arts Commission’s mission to put private art on public property.

Michael Gosselin, Laguna Board of Realtors, said the board raised more than $100,000 in 2005 to benefit the community.

“We served 300 working poor families and raised $268,000 for landslide victims,” Laguna Relief and Resource Center spokesman Ed Sauls said.

Anne Wood, volunteer: “The Exchange Club’s Book of Golden Deeds Award.”

Jeannie Fitzgerald couldn’t get all of the Assistance League’s accomplishment and goals in the allowed 60-seconds.

“Call her,” Cox said.

One of the perks for luncheon guests is the distribution of an attendees list with affiliations and telephone numbers.

Goals for 2006

Pearson-Schneider: “My goal this year is to keep the city out of any new crisis. And my long-term goal is to minimize the term of the temporary sales tax increase.” The term can be shortened but not lengthened by the council.

American Association of University Women spokeswoman Elaine Lawson said the group’s goal for 2006 is to concentrate on building the organization.

Stephanie Andrews, Laguna Beach Girl Scouts: “Think thin mints. On Saturday the girls will be out taking preorders for Girl Scout cookies.”

John Pietig, assistant city manager, set the completion of public improvements in Bluebird Canyon with the least disruption as the city’s goal for 2006.